Press Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia after Inspecting the Regional Public Service Agency (BLUD) of Konawe Hospital, Central Sulawesi Province, May 14, 2024

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Yes, I have inspected hospitals several times, especially regional hospitals, and this morning I am inspecting the regional hospital in Konawe regency. I see the rooms here are nice, the garden landscape is also nice, sunlight can also enter the rooms which is also nice. And what makes me happy is that this hospital was built from a loan from PT SMI [Sarana Multi Infrastruktur, a private company] which is paid in installments every year, and this year it will be paid off. I have to appreciate this kind of courage, because what is it about? It’s about the regional head’s courage to develop his region despite his fiscal budget’s insufficiency, so he borrowed money but he is successful in maintaining his budget discipline every year, that’s good.

Then secondly, this year we will send medical equipment namely mammograms, CT (computed tomography) scans and cath lab (catheterization laboratory) to this hospital. I want to see, Minister of Health also wants to see, this hospital’s readiness, with regard to its human resources, specialist doctors, and rooms. And, the President Director of this hospital and the Regent have said earlier that the Governor will prepare for it. So, the Central Government’s duty is to send very expensive equipment to improve services in the health sector.

Journalists

Still related to health, sir. To the abolition of classes in BPJS (the national healthcare insurance program), what’s the Government’s response, sir?

Minister of Health (Budi Gunadi Sadikin)

The classes are not abolished, but their standards are being simplified and their quality is being raised. Previously, there was class III but now all classes are being upgraded into class II and class I, with the hope that it will be simpler to serve the communities. The ministerial regulation on this matter will be issued soon.

Journalists

When will it be signed, sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

The regulation has not yet been submitted [as a final draft] but you’ve already asked about it. Wait until it is already submitted, then it will definitely be signed.

Journalists

With regard to cold lava flow, sir. In the last six months, Indonesia has experienced cold lava flow three times, the last one was in West Sumatra, sir.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Yes, I am closely following the developments of the floods that occurred in Tanah Datar regency, in West Sumatra province. And, I have ordered Head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) to go straight there and he has arrived. Yesterday we had a phone conversation to find out how the mitigation efforts progress, I have monitored the conditions. I also want to go there but I still have to manage my time because many roads there are badly affected by landslides, refugees are just being organized, then if I have found the right time, I will visit West Sumatra to provide assistance and provide solutions for those affected. I think that’s it.

Journalists

With regard to the OECD, sir, 38 countries have agreed that Indonesia should be included in the OECD. Suppose that you as the President have seen that we are already a member of the OECD, what are the benefits for our economy in the future?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Yes, the Government really appreciates Indonesia’s acceptance as [accession] member of the OECD. This is very important because this is an organization for developed countries. And we hope that by entering the organization, we will have easy access to investment and easy access to international institutions that are beneficial to our country. I think the OECD will provide concrete benefits for us, so that we will not get trapped in the middle-income trap and we can leap forward into a developed country because the organization has set out many rules that we have to follow and this will discipline us in our efforts to achieve our goal of becoming a developed country.

Journalists

What about the customs and excise office, sir? Will it be evaluated, sir? Because in the last few days it has continued …

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Yes, we will discuss this issue later in a limited meeting or an internal meeting.

Journalists

Sir, what about your name being mentioned as Pak Prabowo’s (the president-elect) special advisor?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Pardon?

Journalists

Your name is mentioned as Pak Prabowo’s special advisor, sir, maybe for the Supreme Advisory Council (DPA) too, sir. What is your response, sir? Will you decide to become a member of the Supreme Advisory Council?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

I will still be the president for the next six months, I’m still the president now.

Journalists

But what if you are asked to become Pak Prabowo’s special advisor?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Well, I’m still working as usual, you’re not supposed to ask that.